Rockwell Hotel Tower

Brooklyn, New York | 2011

In 2011 LEESER Architecture, partnered with developer SDS, designed one of seven proposals for the Pier 1 Park Residence & Hotel proposal at Brooklyn Bridge Park. LEESER Architecture's design synthesizes dynamic architecture with the playful and sustainable qualities of New York City Parks, as exemplified in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The design capitalizes on the unique attributes of the site by engaging the building and users with the culture of DUMBO, the City across the water, and the surrounding natural features of the park.

The building functions as an extension of Brooklyn Bridge Park, seamlessly integrating the entire site to create a unified experience of nature and built environment. A ribbon of park space extends from the ground floor to a large exterior garden terrace at the third floor of the larger building, continuing across the courtyard at the second building in the form of roof terraces and gardens. The vibrant, playful, and natural qualities of the park are drawn through the building with an extraordinary sixty foot wide atrium space that extends up the entire height and along most of the length of the building. Above, the 170 hotel rooms and suites float as though suspended in air, lightly framing the view of the sky. The hotel and public amenities act as formal and programmatic destinations, punctuating the progression of the atrium space. An Olympic-length, glass-bottomed swimming pool floats sixty feet above the atrium space, creating an unprecedented experience for swimmers and onlookers alike.

The building's exterior glazing subtly lifts to shape unique spaces within, creating a dynamic facade and providing the public areas with unobstructed views of the East River, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. This glazing system serves both to maximize natural day lighting and to express the stepping pattern of the residential units on the exterior. Outdoor terraces, an amphitheater, and roof gardens allow for hotel guests and residents to experience the dramatic views.